Local Government
Derby-West Kimberley
Region
Kimberley
Fossil Downs Rd King Lepopold Ranges
about 25 km E of Fitzroy Crossing
Fossil Downs Station
Derby-West Kimberley
Kimberley
Constructed from 1948, Constructed from 1938
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 26 Feb 1999 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place | |||
| Register of the National Estate | Nominated | 25 Sep 1985 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 04 Jun 1985 | ||
| Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register | Permanent | |||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 01 Dec 1995 | Category 1 | |
Very significant as a unique homestead dating from the 1930s. The building is a remarkable achievement in the remote Kimberley region. The grounds are also significant and the significance is increase
The Fossil Downs homestead is unusually grand and its construction and lavish furnishing are a remarkable achievement in the remote Kimberley location.The building is designed facing the river however the rear entrance is most commonly used as the front door. The building is of two storeys and designed around a central entry hall with a fine jarrah staircase constructed in Perth and transported to the Kimberley station. The original fittings and furnishings have been conserved intact in the building and the place contains fine examples of interior design dating from the 1940s. The art-deco staircase and balustrade is of particular significance. The house is set in attractively landscaped grounds with immaculate gardens leading up to the house from the station entry gates. There are a number of other buildings within the station complex including stables dating from the 1930s and station living quarters. All these building have been conserved by the present owners.
Fossil Downs Station was established by the MacDonald family in 1886. In 1938 William Neil MacDonald married Maxine, a Sydney model, and brought her to Fossil Downs. They built the existing homestead from clay bricks made on the property. William died in 1963 and Maxine in 1988 and both are buried in the Station cemetery. The station was used by the RAAF during World War II. The station is prone to serious flooding and the owners have installed elaborate pulley systems to lift furniture above the water level in the event of floods.
Intactness of fabric: Very good Alterations: No alterations
Very Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Clement; "Municiapl Inventory for the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley- Thematic Framework". | Shire of Derby- WEst Limberley | 1995 |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8335 | Historic buildings of the Kimberley region of W.A. | Book | 1988 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| Present Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| Other Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Shed or Barn |
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Functionalist |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
| Other | CONCRETE | Other Concrete |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Land allocation & subdivision |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.